When the New Mexico State football team hits town for its Saturday night game with the University of Hawai'i, the Warriors won't be the only stop on the Aggies' schedule here.

The Aggies also will be fanning out among O'ahu high schools evaluating prospects to add to the five recruits they signed eight months ago and establishing a long-term recruiting foothold.

In that, New Mexico State is hardly alone either in the Western Athletic Conference in particular or college football in general.

The Aggies' determined presence, however, symbolizes the depth of the recruiting blitz the Warriors increasingly face in their backyard. Until they were accepted into the WAC, the Aggies had little recruiting interest here. Now, with a new coaching staff and conference ties, they are but the latest member of an expanding club that includes Boise State, San Jose State ...

The combination of the Warriors' success, their television exposure and the rise of former island and Polynesian players into the coaching ranks has made the state a crowded stop on the recruiting trail.

Not to mention what coach wouldn't rather recruit here come November through January, instead of someplace with temperatures in the teens?

Once upon a not-so-distant time the Warriors merely had to fight off a handful of teams, Brigham Young, Washington, etc. Now they face competition not only for blue chip players but the mid-level players and sleepers they have long made their bread and butter. What's more, some of the players who would have found their way to UH as walk-ons are grabbing scholarships elsewhere.

So, it shouldn't be surprising that when Hal Mumme became head coach at New Mexico State one of his first orders, defensive line coach Mike Fanoga said, was: " 'I'm going to send you out to the Islands to get (us) some Polynesian kids.' "

Fanoga, on quick notice, brought back five. Two of whom, defensive tackle David Niumatalolo and tight end La'auli Fonoti of Kahuku, you'll probably see Saturday. Maveu Heimuli is listed as a redshirt and B.J. Adolpho arrives in December.

"Everybody (on the coaching staff) is happy with the results," Fanoga said. "The (players) have handled themselves well."

Now, in the midst of what the NCAA classifies as an evaluation period when schools have six dates of their choosing between Aug. 1 and Nov. 26 in which to visit high schools, Fanoga said the Aggies have a 10-man shopping list to work from.

Niumatalolo, who started last week against Fresno State, is a nephew of former UH quarterback Ken Niumatalolo, who coaches at Navy.

And, would anybody be surprised to learn that coach Niumatalolo said he also plans to recruit here?

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.